Neighbourhood Watch Scheme

Many insurers give discounts to members of Neighbourhood Watch schemes.

If you'd like to join, contact:

Aldringham

Tony Woods used to co-ordinate Neighbourhood Watch in part of Aldringham, covering Chandlers Way, Mill Hill and Mill Lane, and West Hill. Sadly Tony died in June 2017. It may be worth asking Maria Chapman-Beer or checking the Suffolk Neighbourhood Watch website (details for both below) to find out who will be co-ordinating NW in this area.

Maria Chapman-Beer (email: tribunegang@gmail.com)
Aldeburgh Road and roads leading off (except Aldringham Park) up to the borders of Leiston and south to the border of Aldeburgh, and down Thorpe Road towards Thorpeness

The Aldringham-cum-Thorpe Good Neighbours Scheme has been running since 2008 and the number of tasks asked of volunteers has increased - read how they help parishioners or join the scheme as a volunteer.

Rural Coffee Caravan

The Rural Coffee Caravan Information Project provides information about all sorts of organisations and the services they offer you, as well as friendship to people in rural communities, along with coffee, tea & homemade cakes.

The Rural Coffee Caravan visits Mill Hill, Aldringham between April and October, on the second Tuesday of each month, between 2pm and 4pm. It goes to Thorpeness the following day, to the car park in front of the Village Stores, behind the Dolphin Inn, between 10am and 12 noon but does not visit in August. For more information see their website.

Mobile Library

The Mobile Library comes to Aldringham and Thorpeness every four weeks on a Friday, at the following times and dates. (Saxmundham Mobile Library Route 8.) It has a good selection of books for all tastes and ages, including all types of childrens books. Books are changed frequently.

The staff are very helpful, and can reserve any item that is in stock - free - for collection on the mobile library or at any library that suits you. You can also return items to any Suffolk library. If you would prefer to do this from home, it's easy! By using your library card and PIN you can search the catalogue using the link www.suffolklibraries.co.uk and order and renew items.

If you do not have internet access you can call Suffolk Libraries Direct telephone number for the same service 01473 584563.

If you need to contact your mobile library manager please ring them on 07736 007604. If they are unable to answer please leave a message and they will ring you back.

2018 Times & Dates.

Thorpeness
Almshouses

2018 dates:
19 January
16 February
16 March
13 April
11 May
8 June

10.10am-10.25am

6 July
3 August
31 August
28 September
26 October
23 November
21 December

Aldringham
Ogilvie Homes
Church
Mill Hill

9.45am-10.05am
10.30am-10.45am
10.50am-11.05am

Public Transport

Suffolk County Council'sSuffolkonBoard websitehas details of all local transport and links to relevant websites. It helps you find the easiest way to get around, depending on your mobility and how you want to travel, and includes journey planners. You can find out about Demand Responsive Services which may be useful in our rural community on the Connecting Communitiespage which can assist in finding transport suitable for your needs. A guide to Accessible Transport can be found here.

Connecting Communities provides pre-booked on-demand bus services. The area is wider than previously, but there are fewer vans to cover it, so booking early is a must. Up to five bookings can be made up to 14 days in advance between 8.15am and 4pm. Full details from www.suffolkonboard.comTel: 01728 635938.

Details of many of these services can also be found on the CATS website - Coastal Accessible Transport Service (CATS), part of Connecting Communities in Suffolk Coastal, which provides a range of services, specialising in assisting elderly or less mobile people. See the Services section of their website for details.

Community transport, hospital transport and car sharing

If you find it difficult to get to college, shops, medical appointments or visit friends and family in the county, and there's no public transport available locally, Connecting Communities will collect you and take you to an appropriate bus route or train link for onward travel so you can reach your destination quickly and easily.

In the case of trips to hospital, those suffering serious disabilities meaning they can neither drive nor take public transport may qualify for transportation to hospital. However, this service is means-tested and bookings should be made no more than two weeks in advance of the appointment and no later than 48 hours beforehand. Call the Patient Transport Assessment and Advice Centre on 0845 8500774 if you feel you might qualify and would like to use the service.

The Red Cross

The charity provides many local services which you may find useful, from First Aid Training to support for vulnerable people.